Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 – The communities around the three Moore schools that were damaged or destroyed in the May 2013 tornado – Briarwood Elementary, Plaza Towers Elementary and Highland East Junior High – are enjoying brand-new Thunder-themed courts today, thanks to a donation from the Oklahoma City Thunder and its Thunder Cares Foundation.
Thunder players Serge Ibaka, Sebastian Telfair and Training Camp invitees Michael Jenkins, Richard Solomon, Lance Thomas and Talib Zanna, along with Thunder entertainers, school students and staff, representatives from the Moore Public School district and members of the surrounding community, officially opened the three outdoor courts at a dedication ceremony on Wednesday. The team rebuilt the courts after construction was complete on the schools.
“Today is the culmination of our initial pledge to help the community and the citizens of Moore and surrounding areas as they have recovered and rebuilt following last year’s storms,” said Christine Berney, vice president of Community Relations for the Thunder. “We know that there are many families who remain part of the ongoing recovery, and we will continue to support them through our great community partners.”
The Thunder had previously announced its plans to rebuild the three courts last October, during its annual Blue and White Scrimmage. The project was part of the $1 million donation that the team and its charitable arm, the Thunder Cares Foundation, pledged the day after the tornado struck Moore.
That donation has benefited the Red Cross of Central Oklahoma for its Oklahoma Disaster Relief fund, the Salvation Army of Oklahoma for its Oklahoma Disaster Relief fund and the United Way of Central Oklahoma’s efforts to help meet current and long-term mental health needs for those impacted by the May 2013 storms. The remainder of the pledged funds rebuilt the three Moore courts, as well as public courts in Bethel Acres and El Reno.
ABOUT THE THUNDER CARES FOUNDATION: The Thunder Cares Foundation is rooted in the Thunder organization’s passion for supporting its community. Whether it’s refurbishing inner-city basketball courts, assisting families in need during the holiday season or providing disaster-relief support when tragedy strikes, the Thunder Cares Foundation is committed to positively impacting the lives of our fellow Oklahomans.